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Exterior Painting,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Matching Your Home’s Color to its Style

Have you ever driven through a neighborhood where the homes are quietly appealing and then you run across one that sticks out like a sore thumb because the color is so inappropriate for the area or style of home? Sometimes an idea for a house color looks better in your head than on the house, even if the aim is to stand out. The occasional pink, lavender, red or midnight blue home can depress the value of all the homes on a block – starting with the one that is oddly painted.

There really is an art to matching a home’s color to its style and region. You do yourself and your neighbors a disservice by trying to step outside of the recommended – and tried and true – color palette of residences. Here are some things to keep in mind as you set out to choose a color for your home’s exterior that you can be proud of.

• The exterior of most home’s do not use just one color. In fact, there are often three that must complement each other and their surroundings. These include the siding, the molding and eaves, and a separate color for the accents such as the door and railings.

• Do a drive-through of the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods to get a feel for the colors that are in use and the resulting presentation.

• Some homes cry out for the classic white but don’t be fooled. There are a variety of shades of white from eggshell to cream. This is true of all paint today with companies offering a gradation of subtle shade differences within each color option.

• Check with your homeowner’s association to see if there are limits to the colors you can use. If a color choice you want is not included, you have the right to lobby for your color. The worst they can do is turn you down.

• Take the time to choose accents that are either dramatic or toned down but add interesting details to your home.

• If you are buying a home in a historic district there is a good chance that paint colors will be very limited in order to retain the home’s authenticity.

Finally, don’t forget the roof! The color of your roof can give a cohesive look to the entire home.

Let the professionals at University Painters, Inc. help you choose the color that is right for your home!